Projector

in a hall where curtains crush the last sunrays,
they wait in semi-silent stupor--
hundreds, facing a white bright screen;
kindred, as they share a dream.

no-one notices me; the screen sparkles to life
and the story begins, spouting from my eye
through a magic ray slicing the night--
image quickens and becomes life.

i regurgitate film and fool their senses,
throwing up carefully crafted scenes of life;
of people and places and slices of happiness,
humour and song with chestheaving sighs.

shut your eyes, you'll know what i mean;
the darkness mothers your every dream.
there's hero and villain and ravishing bride,
and love in the midst of punishing pride!

so leave them with their popcorn and tears;
they're safe in their ignorance.
when they know light, when they know me,
it's time for deliverance.

From: 
Shreekumar Varma




Shreekumar Varma's picture

ABOUT THE POET ~
Shreekumar Varma is an Indian novelist, playwright and poet. His novels include Lament of Mohini (Penguin) and Maria's Room (Harper Collins). His plays include Midnight Hotel and Five. His poems have been widely anthologised internationally. visit: www.shreevarma.com.


Last updated November 12, 2013